Enhanced performance of Cell ID+RTT by implementing forced soft handover algorithm

The objectives in ongoing research related to mobile positioning are inexpensive solutions providing high accuracy of position estimation. Cell ID+RTT is identified as one of the most available and applicable location techniques for UMTS. The technique provides high degree of accuracy, but only for users within SHO. The aim of this paper is to present an algorithm for increasing SHO window for the time instant needed for necessary RTT measurements. Simulation outcomes have showed that application of the proposed algorithm increases the availability of "accurate" Cell ID+RTT estimates (16-20 m in free propagation environment) for nearly all served users in the network, simultaneously improving overall accuracy to 40 m for 90% of measurements. The proposed solution should not have a negative impact on the network performance due to reduced complexity to minimum and small latency of the procedure.